Topic: 76 CB750 -- Clutch Lifter Arm Stuck

[RogueM3]

Hi all,

As I started to get deeper into my 76 750 and in removing the old worn out clutch cable, realized the arm the clutch cable attaches to under the dust/cover plate was completely stuck. Before I order new discs and/or springs, was hoping someone can point me in the right direction.

I rocked the bike first to make sure the discs weren't completely fused and the bike rolled a bit. I then removed the clutch side cover to get a look at the lifter plate, check if it were cracked, see if the tangs were flush, etc  which looked ok (first time opening it up, but nothing cracked etc). I attached a pic in case anything stands out as completely wrong.

As soon as I loosened the cover but before fully removing it, I could move the lifter arm freely. Upon tightening the cover back down, same inability to manipulate the spring arm at all.

Does this sound symptomatic of anything in particular?  Sound like new springs and discs might fix it?

[newday777]

If the arm moves when you take the clutch side cover off as you say, then I would suspect stuck clutch plates not allowing the lifter to push the plates away from contacting each plate so you'll need to further verify that the plates are not actually stuck together.

[754]

 Did it have any free play ? Did you try adjusting  it ?

[newday777]

Pull the clutch apart and inspect the plates first before ordering.
Make sure the clutch basket is assembled correctly.
This is a new bike to you RougeM3?

[Bodi]

May just be an adjustment issue. There should be a bit of free play before the lifter starts disengaging the clutch, so that the throwout bearing isn't always working and doesn't wear out prematurely. If the lifter works OK with the cover off, the ramp assembly turns and moves outward with the lever... it is most likely OK.
The clutch can be super sticky if the plate ears have worn grooves in the basket fingers since they hit the same spots all the time when riding. The fingers can be filed down (evenly as possible) to take the grooves out which doesn't really affect the operation, just adds a small bit of driveline slack going on and off throttle.
Be careful to record the order of plates when they come out, and put the steels back in the same way up - or with any dishing the same way if it was taken apart previously and that was mixed up on reassembly.

[RogueM3]

Thanks all for the feedback.

Yes, new bike to me. I've worked on a handful of 750s as a hobby over the past few years, but never had to go further than changing clutch cables and on one recent 75F had sticky plates that were unstuck by dropping it into gear after I got it running and letting the bike "take off" a bit. Never had the full clutch cover off before.

I've watched a few videos now, so will probably try to take the basket out this evening and see what I find. Given new discs are and gasket are only $40 from CycleX, I might just order that so I can say I put a fresh clutch in it for the eventual next buyer.